Nova Scotia Fisheries & Aquaculture

Transcription

1 Nova Scotia Fisheries & Aquaculture Growth Plan Update Presentation to the Sea Farmers Conference January 25, 2018

2 Outline Requirements for Growth License and Leasing Farm Operations Development Aquatic Animal Health

3 Requirements for Growth Public Trust and Investor Confidence New regulatory framework Communications Science based decision making Access to Productive Sites Maximize production from existing sites Approve new marine sites Advanced planning Industry Support Business development tools Technical support Targeted research & development initiatives

4 Public Trust & Investor Confidence New Regulatory Framework Legislation and Policy Amendments to the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act. Two new sets of regulations. Policy and guidelines developed to support the new regulations. Independent Aquaculture Review Board. New Compliance & Enforcement Model Aquaculture compliance and enforcement moved to the Department of Environment. Over 55 trained and well equipped Conservation Officers for aquaculture enforcement. Summary offence tickets regulations.

5 Public Trust & Investor Confidence Communications Stakeholder Engagement. 18 month independent public review. Regulatory Advisory Committee. Extensive engagement with other regulators and stakeholder groups. Increased transparency through Department s website. First Nations Engagement and Consultations Established a consultation table for Aquaculture with the KMKNO. Extensive engagement and Consultation of the regulations.

6 Public Trust & Investor Confidence Communications

7 Public Trust & Investor Confidence Science-based Decision Making Research projects to address aquaculture interactions with the environment. Creation of the 5-person Science Advisory Panel. Decisions based on regulated Factors to be Considered.

8 Access to Productive Sites Maximize Production from Existing Sites Issued Active Finfish Shellfish Land-based Total Site Utilization Policy (Use It or Lose It) New regulatory framework provides a mechanism for site reallocation Sites indicating zero production required to submit development plans. Operators encouraged to use the full potential of their sites. Sites indicating limited production will be reviewed.

9 Access to Productive Sites New Marine Sites Strategy: Continue to build public and stakeholder confidence in the new regulatory framework. Continue advance planning work with Municipalities. Continue the collection of biophysical data to support predictive modeling. Begin testing the new application process.

10 Access to Productive Sites Advanced Planning Identifies areas for aquaculture development based on bio-physical factors and multi-user constraints. A focus on areas where there is interest in proactive development. Partner with interested communities. Several potential outcomes. Better information for the decision making process. Classification system. Aquaculture Development Areas

11 Industry Supports Business Development Tools Financial Investment Capital Deferred loan payments Investment tax credits CEDIF s Working Capital Access to loans Payroll rebate program Investor Attraction/Investment Readiness Market Intelligence & Promotion Training & Labour Development Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Initiative (WIPSI) Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) START Program

12 Industry Supports Technical Support Aquatic Animal Health Services Biological Services Data collection and analysis. Technical advice. Oceanographic modelling. Geographic Information System (GIS) Assistance

13 Industry Supports Targeted Research and Development Coordination of Provincial R&D Activities Departmental R&D Fund Innovation Site planning & assessment

14 Division Organization Main office is located in Shelburne o 14 staff o EMP Lab o Field equipment Truro Office o 5 staff o Aquatic Animal Health Lab Halifax Office o 3 staff New Aquaculture Operations Section created

15 Licensing & Leasing Licensing and Leasing Decisions Processes Policies Procedures

16 Applications Decisions since Jan (137) 93 Renewals approved 12 Assignments approved 6 Amendments approved (1 size, 4 species, 1 gear) 2 Landbased approved 25 Discontinued Currently in progress (80) 6 Options 9 Boundary Amendments 2 New Landbased 2 Experimental 12 Assignment 3 Gear Amendment 3 Species Amendments 44 Renewals

17 Processes Administrative Decisions Renewals Landbased Assignments Amendments Gear Species Size Marine Experimental Landbased Experimental Adjudicative Decisions New Marine Sites Amendments Other Fees Statistics Discontinuance Non-Disturbance Agreements Network Review Public Notice

18 Policies Developed Administrative Boundary Amendments Adjudicative Boundary Amendments Site Utilization Network Review Appeals

19 Procedures New application documents Based on new regulatory factors Aim to avoid extensive back and forth Internal documents Application evaluations Packages for Network and Review Board Standardized templates Public notices Correspondence

20 Farm Operations Section Structure Mandate Farm Management Plans Environmental Monitoring Program Field Operations

21 Section Structure Jessica Feindel Manager of Aquaculture Operations Todd Mosher Aquaculture Management Specialist Kate Richardson EMP Supervisor Vacant Biologist Vacant Biologist (term)

22 Section Mandate Farm Management Plans (FMP) Supports creation of FMPs Conducts comprehensive reviews and issues approval Environmental Monitoring Assess environmental performance Advise on site suitability Field equipment Maintain, operate and schedule field equipment Coordinate and manage field activities

23 What is the Farm Management Plan (FMP)? Aquaculture Management Regulations (AMR) came into force Oct AMR require that all aquaculture licence holders prepare a FMP FMP describes information and procedures regarding fish health management environmental monitoring farm operations containment management Minimum compliance requirements have been set by NSDFA NSDFA reviews and approves NSE checks for compliance according to what is within the FMP according to the minimum compliance requirements

24 FMP Implementation 1. Licence holder completes FMP 2. NSDFA reviews FMP Against FMP template and compliance requirements Finfish 1-2 days, shellfish and landbased 1 day 3. NSDFA requests modification(s) 4. Licence holder applies modification(s) 5. NSDFA reviews FMP (2 nd review - ideally 1 day) 6. NSDFA approves FMP

25 FMP Update Started reviewing marine finfish FMPs due to volume and content of their documents Met with each marine finfish operator to review FMP Met with several landbased operators to review FMP Several FMPs are close to approval Turning FMP review focus toward shellfish Committed to continually assessing the effectiveness of program requirements Intent is for FMP to be useful for industry and NSDFA Welcome feedback

26 EMP Update EMP sampling during 2017 was conducted on active and fallow finfish leases, as well as some shellfish leases A total of 19 leases were sampled Only level I sampling was required to be completed Site classifications were primarily oxic, few hypoxic A and passes (hard bottom) Framework, Standard Operating Procedure and Audit Policy will be updated prior to the 2018 EMP season

27 Field Equipment Ocean Prosperity (31 ft. vessel) Blue-Knot (20ft. vessel) Remotely Operated Vehicle (Seamor) Acoustic doppler current profilers (4) Underwater acoustic releases (4) Underwater drop camera Temperature loggers Sediment grabs Side Scan Equipment requests:

28 Development Group

29 Development Section Structure Mandate Research & Development

30 Section Structure Aquaculture Development Manager Nathaniel Feindel Office Location Shelburne, NS Aquaculture Advisors Lewis Clancey Melinda Watts Jennifer Feehan Office Location Halifax, NS GIS Officer Matthew King Office Location Shelburne, NS

31 Section Mandate Stakeholder Engagement - Industry - Third parties - NGO s - Academia - Other government agencies Technical Assessment/Advice NSDFA Processes and Guidelines Documentation and Public Engagement Extension Services Policy Development Site Utilization Salmonid Traceability GIS/Mapping Applications Website/Multimedia Development Committee/Program Involvement Provincial Inter-Provincial Federal Supporting Other Sections Farm Operations Licencing and Leasing Fish Health Research and Development

32 Research and Development Nova Scotia Aquaculture Research and Development Funding Program (NSARDFP) Initiated in Funded 26 projects industry led projects. $1,500, Final reviews being completed Have two more years of funding , Self Directed Research and Development Projects identified to address regulatory or scientific issues Ex. Extreme Weather Project, Advanced Planning Initiative

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34 Aquatic Animal Health Section Update Content Veterinary and Lab Services Farm Management Plan (Health Sections) Disease Management Certificate of Health for Transfer

35 Routine Veterinary Service Emergency Veterinary Service Surveillance and Pre-movement testing Veterinary Services

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37 Veterinary Services Farm Management Plans Assistance to all finfish farms Farmers have Completed Plans Under Review for Approval

38 Disease Management Reportable Finfish Diseases and Response Plans Outlined in Farm Management Plans Shared jurisdiction with CFIA and DFO Infectious salmon anemia

39 Certificate of Health for Transfer Regulatory Requirement Implemented in April 2017 All finfish movements to a Licensed aquaculture site require COHFT Requirements are harmonized to meet the requirements of all Atlantic Provinces

40 Certificate of Health for Transfer Mandatory reporting of diseases of concern Alerts and investigation of elevated mortalities Risk based sample protocols Sample levels reward good on-site biosecurity and historical test results Three sample periods per year (covers all temperature and age ranges)

41 Certificate of Health for Transfer Meets health concerns for DFO Introductions and Transfer for aquaculture sites ** Atlantic provinces, provided the applicant has met the CFIA requirements, the Introductions and Transfers Committee will recognize the Certificate of Health for Transfer for live culture finfish (COHFT) under the Health Policy for the Transfer of Live Cultured Finfish in Atlantic Canada as the disease risk evaluation. **National Code on Introductions and Transfers

42 Aquatic Animal Health Section Veterinary and Lab Services Farm Management Plan (Health Sections) Update Disease Management Certificate of Health for Transfer

43 Thank You